[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 23 (Tuesday, February 12, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S917]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      RETIREMENT OF DARRELL KERBY

  Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, good mayors are those who leave the 
communities, citizens, and environment of the towns they have led in 
better condition than when they were first elected. An exceptional 
mayor is one who imparts a vision of what the community could be and 
works with the members of his or her community and outside interests to 
achieve that vision. There are examples of this across my State of 
Idaho, and the outgoing mayor of Bonners Ferry, Darrell Kerby, is one 
such remarkable example.
  Darrell is retiring from public service after serving the citizens of 
Bonners Ferry for over 20 years, first on the city council and most 
recently as mayor. He is known to city employees and the public as a 
man of outstanding character, courtesy, kindness, and confidence. His 
leadership has been marked by a penchant for conviction tempered in 
small-town graciousness. He was at the helm in 2003 when Bonners Ferry 
was selected as Idaho's Most Friendly Town by travelers and tourists. 
He was instrumental in the revitalization of downtown Bonners Ferry 
through the construction of the tunnel connecting the downtown business 
area to the Kootenai River Inn. He promoted the construction of the 
International Gateway Visitors Center, improved parking in the downtown 
business district, secured improvements to and expansion of the city 
water system that included obtaining a critical Federal grant, led 
improvements to the city powerplant, and fueled positive city growth.
  Darrell's participation in the community extends beyond his mayoral 
office. He has served or serves on the Boundary Regional Health Center 
Board of Directors, the Idaho Board of Health & Welfare, the 
Association of Idaho Cities, the Idaho Energy Resources Authority, the 
Boundary County Economic Development Committee, and the Kootenai Valley 
Resource Initiative Committee, a collaborative effort that I have been 
pleased to work with him on over the years. Speaking of the Kootenai 
Valley Resource Initiative, Darrell has been instrumental in keeping my 
staff informed and involved as the stakeholders involved work to 
collaboratively manage the natural resources of the Kootenai Valley and 
begin restoration work on the Myrtle Creek Watershed after the 
devastating fire in 2003.
  Darrell received the Harold Hurst Award in 2007 for exemplary 
performance by a city official and has contributed in an outstanding 
manner to the accomplishments of the Association of Idaho Cities.
   I wish Darrell well in his retirement and thank him for his 
exemplary years of public service. The residents of Bonners Ferry and 
Boundary County, as well as the State of Idaho, have gained 
immeasurably from Darrell's efforts and dedication.

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